Author

Brett Crandall
Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts-NY, he tours regularly with his puppetry practice, Brett Crandall Studios, with a focus on all-ages, queer-inclusive stories. He is a proud member of the Reflector's arts writing cohort.
What about Kevin? An update from that boy in the Barbie aisle
By: Brett Crandall - August 18, 2023
The now record-breaking “Barbie” movie has sparked controversy, but as reflected from the current writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood and New York, when defining “successful” in America, money talks the loudest. So as this humble, Kansas-based, queer puppeteer was readying himself for some summer shows in the tri-state area, I was thrilled when my […]
Annual concert in Garden City honors creative work and growing pains of students, faculty
By: Brett Crandall - July 6, 2023
I’m always thrilled to see a music piece I’m actually familiar with when I look at a concert program, something that I can latch onto that harkens back to another time. In this case, at the Garden City Community College Spring Awards and Flower Concert, it was “Jupiter” From Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.” I remembered […]
The art of community: How creative contributions can transform a Kansas town
By: Brett Crandall - May 21, 2022
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. Dear Cindy Crandall, I wanted to congratulate you and your newlywed […]
Western Kansas’ lack of arts opportunities deters young people from living on the plains
By: Brett Crandall - March 26, 2022
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. Garden City saw a weekend packed with theater performances from the […]
When it comes to indie filmmaking, there’s no place like home
By: Brett Crandall - February 4, 2022
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. The film industry has been no more immune to the COVID-19 […]
It takes a village, people: How pride came to western Kansas
By: Brett Crandall - August 4, 2021
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer, and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Deerfield, Kansas, and New York City. Imagine, if you can, your average small […]